http://www.innovasiancuisine.com/ Innovasian Cuisine Wed, 28 May 2008 18:37:00 GMT en-us http://www.innovasiancuisine.com/ http://www.innovasiancuisine.com/ Wed, 28 May 2008 18:37:00 GMT [CDATA[ INNOVASIAN FLAVORS & FOODS NEWS CORNER Welcome to our inaugural edition of Innovasian Flavors & Foods News Corner. The information contained herein is not based on original research, but is a compilation of news articles, demographics & cultural abstracts, newsletters, journals, websites, books, professional seminars, and conversations with Category managers, F&B Directors, and Chefs, and Asian Associates and Friends. This Edition will focus principally on the factors that influenced Americans interests and fascinations for Asian Flavors and Foods. Out of the ashes of the bloodiest century in human history, in the 20th century, all but one War was fought exclusively in Europe. All of the others were either exclusively or in large part fought on Asian soil. The anger, enmity and vivification we felt for “Orientals” was soon supplanted by an exotic mystification for their culture and foodways. A yearning to replicate the off-shore experience fueled the demand to be satisfied in part by the emigration of Asians longing for a piece of freedom and democracy. The landscape of our cities and towns were soon dotted with clusters of food places offering the flavors and foods of Asia, and the locomotive of acculturation was in motion. Nothing was more important to the new “Asian engine” than Japan’s hegemonic economic leadership in Asia and their driving investment power throughout the world. The United States in the ‘80s became the centerpiece of their global strategy. Initially, American consumers embraced the novelty of the Japanese cuisine only to discover that the flavors cleverly wove their ways into our diets. Soy Sauce, Teriyaki, Ramen Cup of Noodles, Sushi, Hibachis, Bento, Futons, Tatami Mats, Zen Buddhism, became cultural icons and symbols associated with mindfulness, wholesomeness, harmony, and a new breed of naturalist spiritualism. The generalized definition of Orientalism was being replaced by individual countries, sections, regions, and provinces within regions. Far east, near East, and Southeast defined Asia. Travel to these areas, and immigration from these areas now reached new dimensions; the vast Flavors menu of Asia became available. Immigrant entrepreneurs destined to bring to the US their recipes to satisfy their countrymen’s longing for the Flavors of home opened the doors for Americans to sit at the same tables to gain new culinary experiences. Innovasian Cuisine® set its sails and steered a course in the draft of the Asian phenomenon to offer in its own unique way, a version of Asian Flavors and Foods that make it convenient for Food Operators of All Classes to join the chorus to present its harmony of Asian Flavors. We will expand in future editions on the cultural trends shaping our Asian foodways, and we invite you to tour our new website for more details. ]]